Chapter 26
Lucy's face grew pale, as Natsu grinned at her excited "C'mon Luce…..it will be fun. I promise….." he pleaded. "Natsu just because you love to fight, doesn't mean that everyone has to….." Lucy sighed. "Gihi….looks like Bunny Girl is afraid" Gajeel began snickering as Levy admonished him. Wendy looked at Lucy "Lucy-san it's okay you don't have to listen to Natsu-san, we had some difficulty ourselves while facing him" she said concerned. "Guy's …..c'mon don't discourage her" Natsu whined. Lucy felt her blood boil with rage "This had to stop, she couldn't let the guild think she was weak or that she couldn't stand up for herself or that she needed their protection". She spun around glaring daggers at Natsu "You know what Natsu now, I do want to face you" she growled angrily as Natsu stepped away from her.
Lucy summoned Capricorn and Loke, "You know Salamander that's your girlfriend, you better not win and you can't… lose. I sure wouldn't want to be in your place right now" Gajeel mocked Natsu. Loke turned towards Lucy "What…?" she demanded, "Seriously…him ?" Loke asked flabbergasted. "Shut up Loke. I need you to open your gate using your own power" Lucy said glaring at him angrily. "As you wish Princess….." Loke said sweetly while scowling at Natsu as Lucy force closed his gate. "Princess….may I ask what exactly are you planning. Why ask Loke to open his gate using his own power ?" Capricorn asked curious. "Because…..i will be needing three Celestial Spirits, if I plan on beating him" Lucy thought as she responded to Capricorn "You'll know soon enough… Capricorn". "Seriously Lucy you're going to fight me with just Goat face there, you know Loke might be the only one who could give me a fight" Natsu said grinning at her. "Master Natsu, it is just that I respect the Princess' feeling's that I am going to ignore your snide remarks. But know this once the fight begins, you won't have the same leisure" Capricorn said in a grave tone as he adjusted his shades the sun reflecting in them.
As Loke reappeared Lucy found the key that she was looking for and summoned Virgo "Princess…..is it time for my Punishment" she said bowing her head obediently. "Natsu, i meant to warn you about those punishment's" Happy screamed at him. "Wait….what ?. Lucy c'mon I didn't do anything, your not going to punish me because of this duel are you ?.What kinda punishment are we talking about because as long as it doesn't have to do with travelling or writing or cleaning, I have no problem with it" he said scratching his chin deep in thought. While Virgo looked at Lucy with a somber expression "Princess I cannot punish Master Natsu even for you, though if you are interested . I do have some things which may help you" she said. "Both….of you shut up" Lucy said in a hurry her face turning red with embarrassment. "Now Natsu are you going to fight or not" Lucy asked turning into her Star Dress Leo Form, she turned to Virgo whispering in her ear as Loke and Capricorn charged at Natsu.
Natsu was immediately overwhelmed as Loke used his Regulus Gatling attack and Capricorn rushed from behind him he tried to dodge them but he was once again overwhelmed by the numbers in a desperate attempt Natsu used his Roar which caught Capricorn but Loke was fast enough to dodge it and Natsu was met with a regulus kick that sent him flying into the trees knocking the air out of him.
As Natsu stood up coughing, Capricorn surged forward rushing at him feinting a kick then slamming him into the same tree with punches so strong that each one felt like they were going to break his bones. Loke wasn't far behind and joined Capricorn, as Natsu had no choice he teleported himself out of there, before teleporting back in again and using his Dragon Claw technique to kick Loke out of the way, as Capricorn and him began to trade blows. Each time Loke joined the fray, Natsu used his teleportation to make quick work of him, it looked like he had begun to enjoy. "Alright Now…..Loke" Lucy ordered, as Loke used his Lion Brilliance and his light shone bright blinding everyone including Natsu while Lucy and the Spirits were unharmed. They began to charge at Natsu making quick work of him once again. "Thank you Virgo you may go" Lucy said smiling at her, as Virgo bowed and disappeared Lucy prepared herself calling out Taurus instead who once again leered at her "Mooo Lucy , do you need me to protect your hot body again" he said. As Lucy growled "Just go help the others you stupid cow". Once the light from Loke's attack faded away everyone was finally able to see the aftermath as Natsu looked quite beaten up but what was suprising was that they were holes all over the area. Lucy transformed into her Star Dress Leo form again and readied her whip.
As all three Spirits charged at Natsu, Lucy stood behind and everyone was curious as to what her plan was, as Natsu teleported himself out of harm's way the ground beneath him gave away. He immediately recognised this as Virgo's work and cursed himself for ignoring her. Before Natsu could even make a move he found Loke's light raining down on him, he once again teleported himself out of harm's way only to find something wrapped around his neck, he turned around and he almost punched Lucy as he stopped halfway through. "Boo…..Flame Brain, is that what your gonna do if we fight the Spriggan ?" Gray yelled angrily. "Buzz off Popsicle, I'll see what you do if you face Juvia in a duel" Natsu yelled back. "Well I did beat her once" Gray smirked proudly. As Juvia rushed at him embracing him "Yes, you did Gray Sama…." she smiled proudly at him.
Natsu was sent flying straight into another trap on the floor as he transported himself out yelling "Hey that's not fair, Ice Prick distracted me" he whined. "Never get distracted in a fight Natsu" Lucy said smirking proudly. "Yes…Lucy….i protected your hot body" Taurus said mooing proudly. Natsu immediately slammed into Taurus, moving straight past Loke and Capricorn using his Dragon Sword Horn technique sending Taurus straight into another of Virgo's Traps "Don't you dare talk about Lucy like that again" he growled as Loke gulped and Capricorn smirked at him, giving him a knowing look.
"Natsu…." Lucy gasped shocked. "What ?, i was just…." But the next thing Lucy knew her head began to spin as she fell to the ground unconcious, the Spirits except for Loke disappearing teleporting her along with Wendy to the guild immediately as Wendy checked her for injuries. She's fine must have fainted from exhaustion, she doesn't have any injuries" Wendy said reassuring Natsu. "Well she did call out about four Celestial Spirits today not to mention the toll of Star Dress" Loke said. "Why didn't you stop her then ?. You knew she was over exerting herself, why didn't you stop her?" Natsu demanded. "Hey….whose big idea was it to train/fight her genius ?" Loke glared at him. "Will you two take this elsewhere, you might wake her up and she needs to rest for a while" Wendy demanded. As Natsu and Loke left reluctantly.
"Natsu…Natsu….." Loke said running to catch up with him as he strolled around Fiore in a sour mood. "What now Loke, what do you want now ?. I know I screwed up, you don't have to lecture me anymore ?" Natsu said exhausted. "Screwed….up ?" Loke asked as the realisation dawned on him "Natsu…you realise you can't always protect her, she doesn't need your protection and she won't listen to you anyway" he said smirking at him. "You can't just rush in and protect her, you need to trust us to protect her too Natsu. You know we would not let anything happen to her, not only me every Celestial Spirit of her's would lay down our keys, our privileges, even our lives if we could to protect her. So you need to trust in her just as much as she trust's in you Natsu" Loke said as the two of them stood facing the sea.
Natsu turned around "You know what, i promise not to tear you guys up as long as you promise to always protect her. Except for that Cow guy as long as he doesn't open his mouth he's safe" Natsu said as Loke smirked. "I'm sure he's learnt his lesson…" Loke said laughing as he prepared to leave for the Celestial Realm, he turned to Natsu "Hey….Natsu...the two of you are perfect. Never lose her". "Not in a million years Loke…" Natsu said grinning as Loke vanished. Natsu began to make his way to the guild.
As Natsu reached the guild, he found a distraught Lucy sitting at the bar. As soon as she saw him she rushed up to him "Natsu….where were you, I woke up and Wendy told me you and Loke were arguing. Did you two get in a fight again. Wait did Loke do this to you ?" Lucy asked shocked. "No this is from the duel before…" Natsu clarified. "Well why haven't you been healed ….Wendy ?" Lucy began to call out. "Lucy….i'm fine and I was more worried about you" Natsu began as Lucy shushed him. "Natsu….Dragneel you shut up and let Wendy heal you" she said turning to Mira she ordered some hot drink and gave it to Natsu after Wendy was done healing. "So what exactly did you and Loke do ?. Go for a walk ?" she asked suspiciously.
"Oh….we spoke about a lot of things especially your childhood. Loke told me a lot of embarrassing stuff he told me it would give me leverage if I ever needed it" Natsu said as Lucy blanched. "What….no….Loke doesn't know anything, I mean I was a kid and he didn't, he wouldn't" Lucy began to mumble as Natsu got a call from Larcade. Gray sauntered upto Lucy "Hey….Lucy, Natsu is pretty secretive about his call's huh?. Heck, he's the only one who has a private Lacrima. Should you be concerned ?" Gray asked teasing her. As Lucy punched him in the arm playfully "Shut up Gray, it's a call from Larcade. So, he's just being cautious of Zeref overhearing". Gray nodded "Yeah and the guy's too dumb, it's a miracle he actually managed to ask you out" he said as Lucy pushed him off his stool, "Love…..Rival" came Juvia's low growl. Lucy turned "Honestly Juvia…..?" she exclaimed in annoyance. As Levy came up behind her "Hey Juvia Gray's having dessert with us care to join us?" she said. As Juvia exclaimed "Gray Sama how could you go without me ?, Gray…Sama…?" she began to whine. Lucy thanked Levy as she followed Juvia.
Natsu answered the call expecting Larcade to be on the other end, but it was August instead. "August….umm where is Larcade ?" he asked. "Master Natsu…..Larcade is occupied elsewhere so he has asked me to give you the message in his stead". "Alright ….so what was the message ?" Natsu asked worry etched on his face. "Master Natsu, Emperor Spriggan will not wait any longer. So I implore you, please if you do not wish for the people of Alvarez,nor for the people of Ishgar to suffer. You will bring Fairy Heart for the Emperor, call of this invasion and spare the lives of millions" August pleaded. "I promise August I will not let the people of Ishgar or Alvarez suffer I'm bringing Fairy Heart with me". " I would advice you to hurry Master Natsu" August said as he terminated the connection.
"I told you, he will not betray us August" came Larcade's weak voice. "I didn't have any other option Larcade" August said as the light fell on a bruised Larcade chained to the wall. "I hope you've learned your lesson and never hide anything from the Emperor"August's angry voice rang through the room. "He's my father and this is how…." Larcade began. "But he is still your Emperor" August interjected as he freed him from his chains. "I'll have someone come and look at you rest for a while, he said as he left leaving with the Lacrima.
Larcade sat in the room the stench of his dried blood filling his nose and thoughts of the family that he dreamed of, filling his head. "He couldn't make his father proud, first with Acnologia and then helping Natsu with information". But what was funny to him was the fact that the only time he felt genuine was with Natsu. "Uncle…what do I do….?". He was finally turning towards someone else, hoping to get answers apart from his father.
"Larcade…..?" he turned around searching for the voice "Brandish…..?" Larcade called out. "Dimaria…..over here help me unlock it" Brandish whispered. "If I get caught for you Brandish, I swear I will kill you" Dimaria whispered angrily. "He needs help and August is in no hurry to help him". "Yeah and if we get caught we will be joining him shortly" Dimaria answered hotly.
As Brandish shrunk the lock Dimaria held the first aid. They then entered the room and Dimaria immediately blanched "Yuck did you take a dump in here, Larcade ?" she asked disgusted. "It's the scent of dried blood" Brandish replied. "Yeah, but it's disgusting…" Dimaria retorted.
"What…the hell are you doing here ?. Brandish….?" Larcade asked aghast. "Well I'm here too jackass, you're welcome by the way" Dimaria mocked him. "I just heard the Emperor had you sent here to be flogged and I saw that August was in no hurry to get you a healer. So I decided I'll help you as much as I can. I should warn you im pretty novice at this stuff" she said smirking at him. "She is….i hope she kill's you" Dimaria began to snicker.
"So….since when did you begin to learn healing spells ?" Larcade asked impressed. "I thought the great Brandish,A nor Dimaria never needed it". "I still don't need it" Dimaria interjected. "Well when Master Natsu was here, let's just say his training was brutal and he didn't like going to the healer nor calling them to the Castle, so he'd end up resting his injuries away or pushing through them. So I started learning the spells to help" she said smiling at him. "I still don't understand why you would learn to help him ?". "Well the thing is we were training together so the longer he was hurt it affected my training to". Dimaria had a knowing smirk "You know Larcade if I didn't know any better I would say you are jealous" she said laughing loudly. "Keep talking and you will be in a worse condition than I am in ?" Larcade growled. "Even if you were in a better condition you wouldn't stand a chance against me" Dimaria boasted proudly. "You wanna bet…?" Dimaria sneered at him. "Larcade….Dimaria….that's enough. Now Larcade…I've done as much as I can, it will be enough for now I'll try to send in a healer as soon as possible" she said as Dimaria left the room without a second glance.
Brandish stopped at the door turning towards Larcade "You know Larcade…..i guess you would make a much better Sparring partner than Master Natsu. Just like old times…" she said smiling at him. "Just like old times…." Larcade whispered smiling back as she left.